Rome Colosseum & Catacombs Underground Tours Tickets & Transfer

5 hours

Cut off: 1 day

Day tour / activity

Exclusive Colosseum, Roman Forum & Catacombs Full-Day Guided Tour with Minivan Transfer

Step into the heart of Ancient Rome with this immersive full-day experience that combines the city’s most iconic landmarks with its most fascinating underground wonders.

Begin your journey with skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, exploring its monumental first and second tiers. With your expert guide—an archaeologist or art historian—you’ll relive epic gladiator battles and uncover the secrets of this world-famous amphitheater.

Continue to the Roman Forum, where you’ll stroll along the Sacred Way and admire ruins such as the Arch of Titus, Temple of Julius Caesar, and the Senate House, once the very center of Roman public life.

After a short break, travel in comfort aboard a climate-controlled minivan to the Catacombs on the Ancient Appian Way. Descend into one of the longest underground networks in the world, a sacred maze of tunnels rich in early Christian history.

Explore frescoes, crypts, mausoleums, and burial chambers where popes, martyrs, and—according to legend—even apostles were laid to rest. The catacomb site (San Callisto, San Sebastiano, or Santa Domitilla) varies based on the day of your visit.

The tour concludes with your minivan transfer back to the original meeting point, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Rome, above and below ground.

What’s included?

Skip-the-line entrance to the Colosseum
Guided tour of the Colosseum (first and second tiers)
Guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Admission and guided visit to one of the Catacombs (San Callisto, San Sebastiano, or Santa Domitilla – depending on availability)
Professional, licensed tour guide (art and archaeology expert)
Round-trip minivan transfer to and from the Catacombs
Small group experience for a more personalized tour
Headsets to hear the guide clearly (if needed)
All entrance tickets and reservation fees

Exclusions

Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Food and drinks
Tips (optional)
Access to the underground or upper levels of the Colosseum (unless specified)
Personal expenses

Please note

Public transportation nearby

Accessibility & Participation

This tour is not wheelchair- or walker-accessible.
Not suitable for travelers with walking difficulties.
Strollers and pets are not allowed.
Infants must have their seat; no lap seating allowed. Infant seats are not available.
An adult must accompany children.
Any form of disability (mobility, visual, hearing, etc.) must be communicated in advance to our staff, as the tour route may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Identification & Entry

A valid photo ID (passport, driver’s license, student ID, etc.) is mandatory for all participants.
You must provide the full name and date of birth of each traveler at the time of booking.
Entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum is managed via group tickets only. We do not issue individual tickets, and late arrivals cannot join the group or claim tickets.
Discounts for children apply only if a valid ID is shown.

Meeting Times & Punctuality

COLOSSEUM TOUR: Meeting time is 20 minutes before the tour (start times: 9:30 AM or 11:00 AM).
CATACOMBS TOUR: Meeting time is 15 minutes before the start at 3:00 PM. Note: Start time may vary slightly and will be communicated in advance.
Late arrivals cannot be accommodated and will not receive a refund.

Meeting Points

Colosseum & Catacombs: In front of “Oppio Caffè” (Via delle Terme di Tito, corner with Via Nicola Salvi). Look for staff with a “Tour in the City” sign.
The driver for Catacombs will also meet you at Piazza San Clemente in front of the Basilica with a sign bearing your name.

Tour Operations & Variations

The order of visits may vary depending on logistical or operational factors.
The Colosseum may close partially or entirely without prior notice due to events, strikes, or adverse weather. In these cases, we will offer an alternative or partial refund where appropriate.
The Colosseum may limit entry to 3,000 people at a time. Even with a reservation, short delays may occur, especially on holidays or weekends.
Security checks are mandatory at all sites. You may wait 20–30 minutes to clear entry.

Security & Restrictions

All bags are subject to X-ray screening. To speed up checks, place phones and personal items inside your bag or tray.
Forbidden inside the Colosseum:
Glass bottles or containers
Alcohol, aerosols
Large backpacks, trolleys, camping gear
Bulky luggage, selfie sticks
Only small/medium backpacks are allowed and will be inspected.

Catacombs Specific Notes

Transport to the catacombs is by a licensed driver only (not a guide).
The catacombs maintain a constant temperature of ~60°F (16°C) and high humidity—dress accordingly.
This is a sacred site: modest clothing is required.
Photos are not allowed inside.
Do not touch or remove any materials.
Straying from the group or crossing barriers is strictly prohibited.

Cancellation Policy

In the event of a cancellation request, a partial or full refund may be considered based on the specific circumstances.

Please note that refunds are not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

All cut-off times refer to the local time of the experience.

What do I need to bring?

Valid photo ID (Passport, Driver’s License, National or Student ID) – required for all participants
Booking voucher (digital or printed) to present to the staff at the meeting point
Comfortable walking shoes – you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces and ancient stone paths
Modest clothing – shoulders and knees must be covered to access religious sites and catacombs
Water bottle – especially during warmer months (no glass bottles allowed)
Sweater or light jacket – the Catacombs maintain a cool temperature (~60°F / 16°C) year-round

Cancellation policy

Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.

Colosseum

Step inside the legendary Colosseum with a passionate expert guide and experience the epic spirit of Ancient Rome. Stand where gladiators once clashed in fierce combat, and trace the footsteps of emperors and roaring crowds. Discover the innovative engineering behind its massive structure and explore hidden corners that echo with history. This unforgettable visit offers a deep dive into the drama, power, and spectacle of the Roman Empire’s most iconic arena.

Costantine’s Arch

The Arch of Constantine (Italian: Arco di Costantino) is a triumphal arch in Rome dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great. The arch was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312. Situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, the arch spans the Via Triumphalis, the route taken by victorious military leaders when they entered the city in a triumphal procession. [a] Dedicated in 315, it is the largest Roman triumphal arch, with overall dimensions of[1] 21 m (69 ft) high, 25.9 m (85 ft) wide and 7.4 m (24 ft) deep. It has three bays, the central one being 11.5 m (38 ft) high and 6.5 m (21 ft) wide and the laterals 7.4 m (24 ft) by 3.4 m (11 ft) each. The arch is constructed of brick-faced concrete covered in marble.

Roman Forum

Next, you’ll explore the Roman Forum, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world. As you walk through these ancient ruins, your guide will bring to life legendary landmarks such as the Temple of Julius Caesar, the Arch of Titus, the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Senate House, and the grand Basilica of Maxentius. Stroll along the Sacred Way, the historic path once crossed by victorious legions returning from battle, and immerse yourself in the political, religious, and social heart of the Roman Empire.

Palatine Hill

Continue your journey to the Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome and one of its most ancient settlements, dating back to the 9th century BC. Walk among imperial ruins and admire the vibrant frescoes of the House of Augustus, once home to Rome’s first emperor. Explore the Hippodrome, a sunken garden shaped like a racetrack, nestled within the remains of Domitian’s palace. From the top, take in stunning views over the Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum below. Here, your guide will share the myth of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers raised by a she-wolf, whose rivalry gave rise to the Eternal City.

Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus (Latin for “largest circus”; Italian: Circo Massimo) is an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue in Rome, Italy. The valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and its later Empire. It measured 621 m (2,037 ft) in length and 118 m (387 ft) in width and could accommodate over 150,000 spectators. Its fully developed form became the model for circuses throughout the Roman Empire. The site is now a public park.

Terme di Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla (Italian: Terme di Caracalla) in Rome, Italy, were the city’s second largest Roman public baths, or thermae. The baths were likely built between AD 212 (or 211) and 216/217, during the reigns of emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla.[2] They were in operation until the 530s and then fell into disuse and ruin. Both during and since their operation as baths, they served as inspiration for many other ancient and modern buildings, such as the Baths of Diocletian, the Basilica of Maxentius, the original Pennsylvania Station in New York City, Chicago Union Station, and the Senate of Canada Building. Artworks recovered from the ruins include famous sculptures such as the Farnese Bull and the Farnese Hercules.

Parco Archeologico dell’Appia Antica

Starting in a small group from our agency near the Colosseum, you’ll board a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle headed toward one of Rome’s most fascinating and mysterious destinations: the Catacombs along the Ancient Appian Way.

Depending on the day, your tour will take you into one of the three most renowned catacombs—San Callisto, San Sebastiano, or Santa Domitilla—each with its unique atmosphere and stories. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore ancient frescoes, crypts adorned with early Christian inscriptions, and burial niches still containing skeletal remains.

You’ll visit solemn mausoleums, stone sarcophagi, and small chapels where, even today, religious ceremonies are occasionally held. These sacred corridors are the final resting place of martyrs, popes, and—according to legend—even some apostles.

An unforgettable journey into the spiritual and cultural heart of early Christianity, deep beneath the Eternal City.

Catacombs of Saint Callixtus

The Catacomb is believed to have been created by future Pope Callixtus I, then a deacon of Rome, under the direction of Pope Zephyrinus, enlarging pre-existing early Christian hypogea. Callixtus himself was entombed in the Catacomb of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way. The crypt fell into disuse and decay as the relics it contained were translated from the catacombs to the various churches of Rome; the final wave of translations from the crypt occurred under Pope Sergius II in the 9th century, primarily to San Silvestro in Capite, which unlike the Catacomb was within the Aurelian Walls.[1] The Catacomb and Crypt were rediscovered in 1854 by the pioneering Italian archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi.

You can start this experience at the following places.

Meeting/Starting Point

Piazza di San Clemente, 00184 Roma, IT

Piazza di San Clemente inFront of the Basilica

Piazza di San Clemente, 00184 Roma, IT

Book Now

From€300

Save To Wish List

Book Direct: Best prices always guaranteed.
Multilingual Customer Service: Talk to us, we are here to help.
No Hidden Costs: All taxes and fees included.

25 years of experience

Tour in The City was founded in 1990 in response to the ever increasing demand for customized guided tours, in order to visit one of the most important art collections in the World, the eternal city Rome.